Away matches in CONCACAF are a difficult beast for MLS sides. Reluctantly, we can forgive our Sounders for failing to collect points in Honduras — arguably their easiest road journey of the group.

It’s time to man up. Test the mettle as one might say. Although Monterrey has been la crema de Mexico for the past few years and Sounders still have little international experience, I expect big things.

This will likely be a high scoring match. We just have to score more. Easier said than done, but as I depart for Royal Brougham Park my optimism bleeds green and I look forward to our Sounders continuing MLS teams home success in the Champions League. This Mexican club isn’t going to know what jumped out of the Sound and destroyed them.

I love CONCACAF matches.

The empty stadium bowls, pre-match antics (including spies and questions over stadium availability) and roughshod pitches (not to mention playing styles) strike me as uniquely representative of our American hemisphere. For me, this international club competition is a more important barometer than the US National Team when looking at where the United States falls as a footballing nation. Mexico knows they’re the best. Central American leagues want to prove they stack up with the Mexican giants — and most importantly that they’re still better than the gringos del norte. Sounders (and I suppose the three other MLS teams in the tournament) are here to prove those days are long gone. Let’s shift United States dominance in Latin America from the social-political realm to the social-sport realm. I want to show that our clubs are better supported, better organized (ok, that one’s easy), and juegan futbol mas bonita de ellos.

The glitz and glamor UEFA’s Champions League may be an ocean away, but the intense competition brought about by fighting for international prestige has elbowed up in our backyard.

As the first round of games in the group stage is now complete, MLS fared very well with the three sides playing at home winning. Toronto even beat Cruz Azul (Mexico). Next week Mexico’s Monterrey visit Qwest, the strongest team in Group C, and it’s our turn to surprise.

Current Standings:
GROUP C

If nothing else, the club and supporters will enjoy the minimum of five more matches come in this international foray. Here’s to a lively, large crowd (some people still don’t get it) and success against a very strong Monterrey-bies side.

USA-Algeria no longer matters. What must surely be the new biggest game of our generation (perhaps only second to appearing in the 1930 final) is already here. Today, the United States has the unfortunate task of dismissing Africa from the World Cup. Today, America’s run to the final continues. The nation, old and young, will be tuned in to a continent most of us have never visited — hearts collectively tied to that little round ball the world knows so well.

In the year of 2006 greener fields crept from the corners of spring. As the sun neared its zenith so did the worlds tournament. It has been four years since the world united, the electric feeling jumped through me to ground and I was jolted into remembering of why I loved playing this sport though the years. Smitten as if locking contact with a pair of bright gorgeous eyes across the room. I fell back in love with the beautiful game.

Now South Africa looks posed to ignite passions across the globe hopefully sparking lasting love affairs such as the 2006 cup bestowed upon me. A summer romance as  poetic as the glowing dawn which woke to scenes of already glowing television sets those early June mornings. My affair with football has at times put a strain on other relationships, kept me awake at all odd hours of the day and resulted in a lack of good judgement. Love will do that to you. But a love of the beautiful game often is meet with forgiveness because of the utter transcendence of this sport, where the world holds its breath for 90 minutes and sheer brilliance and glory happen in a split second. Amongst all the hype I believe this transcendence will serve to bring football to American sport radar inspiring younger generations to lace up their boots and the older generations to pick up their remotes and get interested in a game that can enchant the entire world

And match day eight is a whopper. A Trippple Doubble whopper as the Galaxian gems float into #SeattleIsBetterThanYourCity riding nothing but an emerald Buddle and the mighty Landon Donovan. Yup, the rave green track jacket-wearing office-ites consistently predicted draws or losses from grim, tossing heads as I passed organic-non organic salads from a bastille window all day.

They are wrong. Me thinks the Sounders are feeling this one. They always seem to relish matches against teams that are playing real football. Let’s build on last week’s play you Sounders and trounce some SoCal.

UP THE SOUNDERS

Bringing the MT two-stick — Qwest, The Last Best Place

Today, I had the opportunity of working at Franklin High School with the United We Serve Sounders community outreach program. It was a beautiful sunshiny day, and I enjoyed weeding and laying mulch while listening to the young cynicism of the high school students surrounding me. James Riley and Steve Zakuani made appearances, and while they didn’t stay long or really dirty their kicks, the kids enjoyed autographs and pictures and it was a positive gesture from two of Sounders more ‘community-aware’ players. Shook both of their hands, and had a chance to chat with Riley for a few moments . . . yes, he has a gash on his head and said his neck was still sore. I thanked him for keeping Ryan Smith relatively quiet yesterday.

Next match at Dallas on Thursday! Too bad ESPN decided to showcase this one . . . Dallas’ attendance is abysmal. Oh well — growing pains.

How well can Alonso (with significant help from Evans I assume) shut down the dreadhead (and USMNT fringe player) Beckerman?

Who will start on the right? Levesque got his chance in the first two matches, but failed to make a significant impact. Will Sigi give him another? While many would like to see Fucito start on the right (especially because of his high level of fitness at 4,000 ft Sandy, UT); however, the consensus seems to point towards Sigi going with MLS vet and relative Sounder noobie, Pat Noonan. Either way, one has to assume that the elevation will force Sigi into making all three substitutions this evening.

I expect an open and high scoring game…would love to the Sounders with a couple of goals before half to kick last weekend’s shutout loss out of their system. What are you looking for in this match?

Also, as it’s the first Sounders away match, it will be my first 90 minutes of Arlo White commentary.

Hope you other Supers are able to find ways to view the match in your respective corners of the Northwest.

And, one more: SOUNDERS FC travel to REAL SALT LAKE for their first away test, and against the MLS Cup holders. Kick off 6pm PT, stay tuned for a possible match page.